Thankful list for May:-a little piece of good news early on in the month that gave us some much needed hope -on the day of more incredibly hard news from our adoption agency, I read “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior, my God will hear me.” Micah 7:7. We continue to trust a plan that we don’t understand, continue to try to be thankful for circumstances that we don’t like... its not easy. -this funny row of family portraits by Tuck

-new pictures of Aida…so thankful for them even while it is so hard to watch her growing up-the gift of a video from our agency-"if you learn to trust Me- really trust Me-with your whole being, then nothing can seperate you from My Peace. Everything you endure can be put to good use allowing it to train you in trusting Me." -Jesus Calling

And a few random things that have nothing to do with adoption: -incredible Andrew Peterson concert (if you ever have the chance to see him in concert take the time to do it) -The Tiller’s watching our kids, the Doley’s watching our kids -Tucker “Mom, can I get up early to spend time with God?” -Krista cutting out stuff for me -end of the year BSM leadership party… so thankful for these students and their hard work and their desire to serve their campus -Mother’s Day Tea at The Learning Center… bittersweet- my last one with Tucker and my first one with Libby (apparently our kids have the same "I'm taking a picture head tilt" as their mom

-how special my family made me feel on Mother’s day -the incredibly timed, encouraging, and thoughtful Mother’s Day card from Katie -Ben was gone for just a few days… I’m so thankful it wasn’t longer, thankful when he returns! -finding two sweet kids in the same bed-"Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy." -1 Peter 1:8 -one of my favorite events of the year… watching our students participate in the Go Now commissioning service (so proud of them for answering the call to go)

-Libby's haircutting skills bring laughter on a sad day (her haircutting tips: use blunt children's scissors and for an "edgy" look cut bangs and layers only on one side of your face)-thankful for the BSM intern this year, his hard work, heart for the nations, and how well he loved our kids-camping weekend with friends at Lifelight: incredible view and scenery, Morgan’s new faith, watching Tucker watch the Newsboys. How a wet tent, muddy surroundings, sunburn, and a weekend of port-a potties will make one really appreciate a dry, cool, clean house. -much needed encouraging email from Dianna-3 months of enjoying Tucker going to Worship with us (thankful for this article that led us to consider it and gave us some practical advice on how to move our children in that direction) -children laughing when they should be sleeping (I know I will miss those sounds when they get older) -celebrating our anniversary… we didn’t get the trip to Africa we hoped for but we are thankful for a night out, thankful for ten years. Thankful for the friends who watched our kids so we could go. And I’m oh so very thankful for him (but you can read that here)